REVIEWS FOR INDEPENDENT FILM, LOW BUDGET FILM, SHORT FILM & WEB SERIES

I can just picture J. Stuart Blackton sitting up in heaven, listening to It's the end of the world as we know it, breaking only to watch "Meeting MacGuffin" while nodding his head in approval. Pretty strange visual to be dancing around in my brain - but I just can't help it. Why? Because Catya Plate's short film is one fine piece of work and completely worthy of such praise. Taking place long after the reign of humanity, "Meeting MacGuffin" is an origin story, revolving around a new version of the human being. In the film, humanity has wiped itself out with it's greed and self importance. The worlds water supply was used up and and before the end, war and famine utterly decimated us. What's left of humans mainly consists of brains, pelvis's and feet. The clothespin freaks, one of the worlds remaining inhabitants, are attempting to reconstruct humanity. To bring back those dangerous beasts that brought the world to the brink. Under guidance, and with care, the clothespin freaks begin their attempts - and hope the new humans can be taught the proper way. The less greedy way. As our signpost guide leads the way, our strange leading lady... thing... begins the journey to build a handful of humans, and meet MacGuffin. Sounds like a strange story correct? It is. Strange and wonderful. "Meeting MacGuffin" is probably one of the more original movies I've seen in a really long time. And it's done so well. Being stop motion in nature, this film inherits a slightly creepy vibe - as all stop motion animation does. This vibe works so well in both the presentation of the story, and as a cautionary queue. Catya Plate has created a warning movie. A warning involving the path of humanity if something isn't done. Realistically, it may be that the bell has already rung and we're all doomed. But miracles can happen.

The presentation of this movie is stunning. Inside jokes. Attention to detail and a great set of choices for the voice actors, all lend to a film you simply have to see. All held together with the perfect musical backing, it's eerie and strange nature all work in harmony - to bring you a strange yet familiar world. With everything from plucking and placing eyeballs, to freakishly weird character designs, "Meeting MacGuffin" has more than enough to even keep interested, those who refuse to take the dangers from us, to our world seriously. It's all stitched together in such a way, that you may find it hard to take your eyes off screen - regardless if you agree with the message or not. When it's all said and done, this was a great way to kill ten minutes. While it is true that a few of the edits felt a little fast or wonky to me, they were few and far between. As a whole production this is really something special - and I eagerly await the next installment. If you only watch a handful of indie short films this year, make sure this one is on your list.